Choosing a Choosing a University University

and a Courseand a CourseAndy Sherlaw, Kirsty Hutchinson and Andy Sherlaw, Kirsty Hutchinson and

Michael KnottMichael Knott

Intro Song

What is Higher Education?What is Higher Education?

Programme of study at a higher level than A LevelProgramme of study at a higher level than A Level

3 year eg. BA, BSc3 year eg. BA, BScalso also 2 year Foundation Degrees2 year Foundation Degrees4 year Masters courses and others4 year Masters courses and others

You can study at University, Colleges of Higher You can study at University, Colleges of Higher Education or Further Education Colleges.Education or Further Education Colleges.

Choosing the Right CourseChoosing the Right Course 300 Universities / Higher Education Institutions300 Universities / Higher Education Institutions

Over 50,000 courses available in Higher EducationOver 50,000 courses available in Higher Education

Do you choose to study…Do you choose to study…

A course which you are studying at AS/A2?A course which you are studying at AS/A2?

A vocational course? A vocational course?

A completely new course?A completely new course?

Number of ChoicesNumber of Choices

Students choose up to 5 coursesStudents choose up to 5 courses

Students start receiving offers from October Students start receiving offers from October to Marchto March

Students choose two courses to holdStudents choose two courses to hold

One One FIRMFIRM Choice Choice

One One INSURANCEINSURANCE Choice Choice

Most Popular DestinationsMost Popular Destinations Listed here are the most popular university destinations for Year 13 Listed here are the most popular university destinations for Year 13

students in 2012:-students in 2012:-

Northumbria UniversityNorthumbria University 41 students 41 students Newcastle CollegeNewcastle College 15 students15 students Sunderland University Sunderland University 14 students14 students Leeds Metropolitan UniversityLeeds Metropolitan University 13 students13 students Newcastle UniversityNewcastle University 12 students12 students Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University 10 students10 students Durham UniversityDurham University 9 students9 students Cumbria UniversityCumbria University 7 students7 students Manchester Metropolitan UniversityManchester Metropolitan University 6 students6 students Leeds UniversityLeeds University 6 students6 students York UniversityYork University 4 students4 students Teesside UniversityTeesside University 3 students3 students Sheffield UniversitySheffield University 3 students3 students

Over 230 students have applied to University this year.Over 230 students have applied to University this year.

English Literature

Physics

Midwifery Mathematics

Computer Science

Engineering

Law Drama Chemistry

Psychology

Medicine Accountancy

Soil Science

Wine Studies Internet Security

Types of CourseTypes of Course

Single HonoursSingle Honours

Joint HonoursJoint Honours

Combined HonoursCombined Honours

Foundation Degrees Foundation Degrees Sandwich Course - thick or thinSandwich Course - thick or thin

Other considerations -Other considerations -Course Structure Course Structure

Compulsory vs optional modules.Compulsory vs optional modules.

Course Assessment.Course Assessment.

Professional Accreditation.Professional Accreditation.

Other considerations –Other considerations –Types ofTypes of UniversityUniversity

Campus UniversityCampus University

City Centre UniversityCity Centre University

Collegiate UniversityCollegiate University

Traditional or Progressive?Traditional or Progressive?

Old or New?Old or New?

Large or Small?Large or Small?

Location, Location, LocationLocation, Location, Location AccommodationAccommodation Catered / Self catering halls?Catered / Self catering halls? Private accommodation?Private accommodation? Cost?Cost? Distance from University?Distance from University?

Distance from HomeDistance from Home

Social Life - it’s not all work!!!Social Life - it’s not all work!!!

The feel of a placeThe feel of a place

Support - Useful WebsitesSupport - Useful Websites

www.ucas.com

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

www.bestcourse4me.com/

www.push.co.uk/

www.thebigchoice.com

www.connexions-direct.com

www.careersoft.co.uk

www.prospects.ac.uk

www.hotcourses.com

www.ucas.com www.ucas.com

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

www.bestcourse4me.com/

There are also free apps to help There are also free apps to help you…you…

The Telegraph Course Finder – a free app The Telegraph Course Finder – a free app which allows you to search and compare which allows you to search and compare different universities.different universities.

The Student Room – A blog which discusses The Student Room – A blog which discusses many issues that A Level students have – many issues that A Level students have – such as post 18 options.such as post 18 options.

ITunesU – An app where Universities upload ITunesU – An app where Universities upload lectures, podcasts and tutorials on personal lectures, podcasts and tutorials on personal statement writing and UCAS advice.statement writing and UCAS advice.

UCAS online (via YOUTUBE or UCAS UCAS online (via YOUTUBE or UCAS website) provides many video tutorialswebsite) provides many video tutorials

Other Sources of InformationOther Sources of Information

University websites, videos, CD-ROMSUniversity websites, videos, CD-ROMS

Visit Days / Open Days / Taster SessionsVisit Days / Open Days / Taster Sessions

Parents / Friends / TeachersParents / Friends / Teachers

What do you think are common What do you think are common problems with students’ applications problems with students’ applications

to University?to University?NumberNumber Common ProblemCommon Problem

11

22

33

What do you think are common What do you think are common problems with students’ applications problems with students’ applications

to University?to University?NumberNumber Common ProblemCommon Problem

11 Getting offers only from Universities that Getting offers only from Universities that students do not want to go tostudents do not want to go to

22 Getting offers from Universities students Getting offers from Universities students have not visited.have not visited.

33 Students being rejected by all of their Students being rejected by all of their choiceschoices

Avoiding the ProblemsAvoiding the Problems Check UCAS website and University Prospectuses.Check UCAS website and University Prospectuses.

Draw up a shortlist of Universities. Draw up a shortlist of Universities.

Contact Universities.Contact Universities.

Visit Universities.Visit Universities.

Look at Independent Guides e.g. Times Guide, Look at Independent Guides e.g. Times Guide, Hotcourses & Heap’s Guide.Hotcourses & Heap’s Guide.

Be realistic!Be realistic!

Methods of SelectionMethods of Selection

UCAS form only or UCAS form and…UCAS form only or UCAS form and…

InterviewsInterviews Group DiscussionsGroup Discussions Examples of WorkExamples of Work Additional Testing LNAT, UKCATAdditional Testing LNAT, UKCAT Points or Grades Points or Grades

How we deliver How we deliver support and guidancesupport and guidance

Students have already completed sessions Students have already completed sessions covering:-covering:-

Post 18 OpportunitiesPost 18 Opportunities ““What career is for me?” and CareerSoftWhat career is for me?” and CareerSoft Personal Skills identificationPersonal Skills identification Does University Pay?Does University Pay? Which degree and university should I pick via a large range Which degree and university should I pick via a large range

of useful websitesof useful websites The PARTNERS scheme via assemblyThe PARTNERS scheme via assembly Useful resources in the libraryUseful resources in the library Taking a GAP yearTaking a GAP year

How we deliver How we deliver support and guidancesupport and guidance

The following sessions are yet to come …The following sessions are yet to come …

Higher Education Evening Fair Wednesday Higher Education Evening Fair Wednesday 1717thth April 5-7pm April 5-7pm

Finance and UniversityFinance and University Careers DayCareers Day Writing a successful Personal StatementWriting a successful Personal Statement Online ApplicationsOnline Applications Improving Interview technique – General Studies / Improving Interview technique – General Studies /

Critical Thinking / Discussion GroupCritical Thinking / Discussion Group Accepting and Rejecting OffersAccepting and Rejecting Offers

How we deliver How we deliver support and guidancesupport and guidance

Further support is offered through …Further support is offered through …

Personal Statement support sessions.Personal Statement support sessions.

Connexions.Connexions.

Mock Interviews.Mock Interviews.

General Studies and Critical Thinking courses.General Studies and Critical Thinking courses.

KEY DATESKEY DATES

September 2013September 2013 UCAS start to accept University ApplicationsUCAS start to accept University Applications

1515thth October 2013 October 2013 UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine and UCAS deadline for Oxbridge, Dentistry, Medicine and

Veterinary ScienceVeterinary Science

1515thth January 2014 January 2014 UCAS Deadline for all other applicationsUCAS Deadline for all other applications

Mid March 2014Mid March 2014 Most students will have received all of their offers (offers start Most students will have received all of their offers (offers start

from October or earlier)from October or earlier) Students select two offers to hold (Firm and Insurance)Students select two offers to hold (Firm and Insurance)

KEY DATESKEY DATES

From NowFrom Now:: Researching courses and UniversitiesResearching courses and Universities

Tutorial – Everyday students take part in an activity which will Tutorial – Everyday students take part in an activity which will benefit their applicationbenefit their application

General Studies sessions devoted to preparing UCAS applicationGeneral Studies sessions devoted to preparing UCAS application

Summer TermSummer Term:: University Open DaysUniversity Open Days

Careers Day - Wednesday 26Careers Day - Wednesday 26thth June June

Personal Statement draftingPersonal Statement drafting

September – October 2013

Each tutor completes a tutorial looking into options after Sixth Form including websites such as UCAS.co.uk

January 2013 Students are actively encouraged to research courses and Universities whilst conducting wider reading in their interested area.

January – June 2013

Tutorial tasks help students to make decisions on their next step. Students work on their personal statements aided by tutorial activities.

June – July 2013

Students attend University Open Days – in chosen establishments only!

July 2013 Tutor checks personal statement for the last time

August 2013 Personal statements and CVs to be handed in during Year 13 enrolment.

September-October 2013

Remainder of the form completed and checked by tutor. Interview to be arranged and completed with a Sixth form or Leadership team member.October 15th – Early Application Deadline (Oxbridge, Veterinary Science/Medicine, Medicine, Dentistry)

December 10th 2013

Final interviews arranged before Christmas to guarantee applications will be sent.

January 15th 2014

Deadline for all applications to UCAS. Students can still apply after this date and it is up to Universities if they look at their forms.

“APPLY” System

Only 4 choices for Medicine,Dentistry, Veterinary Science

Apply early for high tariff courses / Universities

All references written by Senior members of staffafter reference interview

Expecting over 230 of present Yr 12 to make a UCAS application

Nursing / UCAS

Support Is Always AvailableSteve Wilson Assistant Headteacher

Andy Sherlaw Head of Year 12

Steve Williams Head of Year 13

Michael Knott Sixth Form Enrichment Co-ordinator

Adam Rule Sixth Form Guidance Tutor

James Branson Sixth Form Guidance Tutor

Richard Chambers Sixth Form Guidance Tutor

Kirsty Hutchinson Sixth Form Guidance and Support Assistant

Helen Davison Sixth Form Administrator

Sheila Scoffham Sixth Form Administrator